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Need help for train transportation from Bologna to Nice

Posted by on

Hello, I will be traveling with my husband and son (16y) from Bologna to Nice on June 13th. Looks like there will be 2 transfers, 1 in Milan and the 2nd in Ventimiglia. Reading these schedules are so confusing.

Do I need to buy these tickets in advance?
If I buy a ticket from Bologna to Nice it shows me the 2 transfers but looks like there is only 20 minutes to find the next train. Is that enough time?

Or should I book each leg of the trip individually?

Also, is there room on the train for a large suitcase? We are bringing 1 carry on for my son and my husband & I were going to share 1 large suitcase.
Lastly, it will be my husband and son's first time riding a train in Europe and I want them to experience how wonderful it is. Should I book 1st class if that is an option?
I backpacked through Europe a million years ago and don't remember what I booked. Thank you for your suggestions.

Posted by
2492 posts

Generally speaking whenever the railway forces you to waste more than 15 minutes between trains I consider that a sign of incompetence.

In Switzerland you will get 5 minute transfers, and that is great. Trains are not very fast, so it is good not to slow down the passengers unnecessarily. Don't worry about those 20 minute transfers. They are long enough to find your train, and to get annoyed at the inefficiency if the Italian Railways...

Book this in one go, and the railways are obliged to get you to Nice. From Ventimiglia to Nice there are trains every half hour. If you miss one, you just take the next. And there is of course place for luggage.

Posted by
7300 posts

20 minutes is plenty of time at Milano Centrale, and even more generous at Ventimiglia.
Buying the ticket in advance will get you the best price, it is highly recommended you do so. Either on Trenitalia, or on Trainline (a reputable agent that charges a very reasonable mark up).
I have no experience of first class on Italian trains, but do try to sit on the right hand side out of Milan! The train reverses in Genoa, you will end up on the left, and have good sea views from time to time.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you. This makes me reassured that we can do this. We will try and sit on the right side.

Posted by
3279 posts

I normally buy second class seats on TrenItalia but for a long trip, even with transfers, you might splurge for 1st class. I recently took a 4 hour trip from Turin to Lyon and the lack of legroom made the trip very uncomfortable. I have traveled 1st class on TrenItalia and it was very nice.

Posted by
2492 posts

Trenitalia will only be able to book you as far as Ventimiglia. You will have to buy the ticket for the sector to Nice on SNCF. However I second using Trainline, as they can book you through in one transaction.

The IC from Milan to Ventimiglia is quite a nice train and route. It can happen that this train runs late, but as already mentioned: train to Nice run every half hour. These are locals, so just hop on the next one...

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